Comparison

Barcode to PC vs Code Scan

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Barcode to PC

Transform your smartphone into a powerful barcode scanner that sends data directly to your computer via Wi-Fi. Supports keyboard emulation, CSV export, and various barcode formats including QR codes.

Highlights
  • Smartphone barcode scanner
  • Real-time keyboard emulation
  • Wi-Fi connectivity
  • CSV export
  • QR code support
  • Cross-platform compatibility (Windows, macOS, Linux)
Features
Read full description

DOWNLOAD SERVER: https://barcodetopc.com/ Barcode to PC turns your smartphone into a real barcode scanner • Supported platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux • Keyboard emulation Your smartphone sends real-time keystrokes directly to your computer, no copy-paste required! • Wi-Fi ready Connect to the same network of your PC and the app will pair automatically • CSV support You can append your scannings to a file in real-time. You can also export the scans all at once in a CSV file • QR Codes Barcode to PC works also with QR codes and many other barcode formats FAQ: https://barcodetopc.com/faq.html

About

Code Scan

This app scans and generates a wide variety of 1D and 2D barcodes, including QR codes, DataMatrix, and specialized formats like VDS. It offers features like camera zoom, flash support, and a history of scanned codes. Users can also share scanned data and create new barcodes.

Highlights
  • Scans all 1D and 2D barcodes
  • Supports MicroQR, VDS, and ICAO Datastructures
  • Adjustable camera zoom and flash for low light
  • Scan history and sharing functionality
  • Generates QR, DataMatrix, and PDF417 barcodes
  • Dark mode and dark AppIcon support
Features
Read full description

Scan and create every common 1D and 2D barcode - one at a time or continuously in Batch Scan. Export your history as CSV or automatically send scans to your own server. Unlike an ordinary scanner, Code Scan also verifies the cryptographic seals on official documents. WHAT IT READS • QR, MicroQR and rMQR (rectangular MicroQR) • DataMatrix, including DMRE • Aztec, PDF417, MaxiCode • EAN-8, EAN-13, UPC-A, UPC-E • Code 39, Code 93, Code 128, Codabar, ITF / ITF-14 • GS1 DataBar and DataBar Expanded • VDS, VDS-NC and IDB document seals Codes are decoded on your device: from the live camera, from a photo in your library, or from an image you share into the app from somewhere else. DIGITAL SEALS ON OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS This is what sets Code Scan apart: it does not just read the seal, it checks the cryptographic signature. • VDS (Visible Digital Seal, BSI TR-03137) in DataMatrix • VDS-NC (ICAO) and IDB (ICAO Datastructure for Barcode) in QR codes • Signatures verified against X.509 certificates, kept up to date automatically • Import your own X.509 certificates for closed ecosystems • MRZ data contained in a seal is parsed and shown in readable form This app supports reading and verification of (among others) VDS Profiles: - Social Insurance Card - Residence Permit Document - ICAO Visa Document - ICAO Emergency Travel Document - German Arrival Attestation Document - Address Sticker for German Identity Card - Place of Residence Sticker for German Passports VDS-NC Profiles: - ICAO PoT and PoV (ISO/IEC JTC1 SC17 WG3/TF5) CREATE YOUR OWN CODES • QR, DataMatrix, Aztec, PDF417 and Code 128 • Live preview while you type • Choose the QR error correction level (L / M / Q / H) or the PDF417 level (0-8) • Keep your codes in a library, mark favorites, share any of them as an image FASTER IN EVERYDAY USE • Camera light in four brightness steps and 1x / 2x / 4x zoom - for tiny print, dark rooms and laminated documents • Share a screenshot from any app to read the code inside it, or share a link to turn it into a code • Batch Scan: capture multiple codes without a result screen and save them straight to your history • Siri and Shortcuts: create a code or open the scanner by voice, or build both actions into your own shortcuts • Recreate a scanned code in a single tap, with the content already filled in A HISTORY THAT STAYS ORGANIZED • Grouped into Starred, Today, This Week and Before • Scanning a code again updates the existing entry instead of piling up duplicates • Export and share your scan history as a CSV file • Stored seals are re-verified in the background against the current certificates, so an expired signature stops showing as valid FOR PROFESSIONAL USE • GS1 application identifiers parsed and labelled • Open recognized links immediately, skipping the result screen • Copy and share the raw code data instead of the interpreted content • Optionally send scans automatically to your own HTTPS endpoint (off by default) • Play a confirmation sound after successful transfers • Native iPad layouts PRIVACY Decoding happens entirely on your device, and your history stays there. There is no account and no tracking. To verify seals, the app downloads the public signer certificates from our certificate service. The optional face comparison against a document portrait is the one feature that sends an image to a KURZ Digital service, and only when you start it yourself. For wishes and suggestions just contact us at info@kurzdigital.com

Screenshots

Barcode to PC2 screens
Code Scan4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Code Scan at weekly against Barcode to PC's every 2 months. Code Scan also leads on monetization model (free vs ad-supported). Barcode to PC's advantage is iOS requirement (16.4 vs 18.0). On price, rating, review sentiment and ratings volume there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Barcode to PC against 4.6 for Code Scan. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 392 and 742 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 79% of Barcode to PC's written reviews are positive against 81% of Code Scan's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Barcode to PC ships an update every 2 months, Code Scan weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Barcode to PC versus Code Scan: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBarcode to PCCode Scan
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (392 ratings) — better4.6 (742 ratings)
Positive reviews78.9% of reviews80.6% of reviews — better
Number of ratings392742 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationAd-supportedFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.4 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size47 MB15 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperFilippo TortomasiKURZ Digital Solutions GmbH & Co. KG

Customer experience

Barcode to PC

All ratings391 ratings
Positive91.0%
Neutral3.8%
Negative5.1%
Written reviews90 reviews
Positive78.9%
Neutral5.6%
Negative15.6%

Code Scan

All ratings742 ratings
Positive89.4%
Neutral2.4%
Negative8.2%
Written reviews36 reviews
Positive80.6%
Neutral8.3%
Negative11.1%

User reviews

Barcode to PC

From 392 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Fast and accurate scanning
  • 👍 Simple and intuitive interface
  • 💡 Replaces expensive hardware
  • 🆓 Free to use
  • 💻 Seamless PC integration

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Camera not loading/opening
  • 🐛 Scan mode not accessible
  • 🐛 Connection lost when phone screen is black
  • 🐛 Slow scanning speed
  • 🐛 Difficult to delete wrong codes

Code Scan

From 742 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Fast and accurate scanning
  • 👍 Easy to use and straightforward
  • 💡 Supports various barcode and QR code types
  • 💡 Excellent for difficult-to-scan codes
  • 💡 Flashlight feature is convenient

Room to improve

  • 😡 Nag pop-up for reviews
  • 🐛 Does not load websites
  • 🐛 Useless for specific registration tasks
  • 🐛 Copy or close options produce no result

Bugs and requests

Barcode to PC

Reported bugs

25 issues
  • PC app won't accept login code
  • Server/app version mismatch
  • Mac server program not executable
  • Cannot select single or continuous scan on some phones
  • Bug in version 4.8.3 causing scan mode to break
Show 20 more
  • Camera not loading/opening after update
  • App defunct after update
  • QR code scan times out, cannot rescan
  • App in execution, cannot delete
  • macOS client cannot install on latest OS
  • Blank screen on launch
  • No zoom or camera settings, requires 1m distance
  • Loses connection with PC when iPhone screen goes black
  • Scanning could be faster, requires alignment
  • Camera ends up not being accessible after first time
  • Free version only allows 300 scans
  • App stops working after a while and asks for money
  • Sessions deleted from phone still exist on PC
  • Hard to delete wrong scanned codes
  • Two banners saying impossible to connect and error
  • OCR does not work
  • Barcode 83870000005-2 is read as 83870000005
  • Stürzt ab bei aktivierten Wlan bei einen iPhone Xs mit iOS 12.3
  • PC app doesn't get past load screen
  • Some barcodes are not read

Requested features

12 requests
  • Option to turn off automatic scanning
  • On-screen button to trigger scan
  • Tap on barcode to trigger reading
  • Add quantity option
  • Work through Bluetooth
Show 7 more
  • Improve GUI to reflect latest iOS standards
  • Add 10-key number keyboard for manual typing
  • Flashlight always on option
  • Option to choose saving format
  • Share barcode lists
  • Improve speed of transmitting data
  • Remove popup display in continuous scan mode

Code Scan

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Does not load websites
  • Copy or close options produce no result

Requested features

2 requests
  • Ability to view previously scanned QR codes (not just data)
  • Option to contribute via donation instead of ads

In-app purchases

None

Barcode to PC

No in-app purchases

None

Code Scan

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Barcode to PC free?
Barcode to PC is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Code Scan free?
Code Scan is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Barcode to PC or Code Scan?
Barcode to PC is rated higher. Barcode to PC averages 4.7 out of 5 from 392 ratings, while Code Scan averages 4.6 from 742 ratings.
Do Barcode to PC or Code Scan have ads?
Neither Barcode to PC nor Code Scan shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Barcode to PC or Code Scan?
Barcode to PC ships an update every 2 months, and Code Scan weekly. Most recently, Barcode to PC was updated on October 20, 2026 and Code Scan on October 24, 2026.

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